Is this shirt offensive or funny?

[StartOrien]

If the original question is what I really think it is 'should I buy it,' I'd go with 'no.'

To me, it's not funny enough to counter that some people might find it offensive and could give you a hard time about it. 

[BballTim]

I'd put it at mildly amusing and too obviously a joke to actually be offensive. 

If anything, it sadly could be seen as a joke on the US, considering some could argue that we've lost every war, other than maybe the overall Cold War, that we've been involved in since.

  Yes, being defeated twice by Iraq *is* pretty embarrassing.

[LooseCannon]

Sometimes I think about buying this shirt, sometimes I think about buying this one.

[manl_lui]

Sometimes I think about buying this shirt, sometimes I think about buying this one.

you should definitely buy that shirt

[celticmaestro]

Fact is, millions died in those world wars. They're nothing to be proud of...

I think there's a lot to be proud of regarding America's role in the World Wars.  The shirt is over-the-top, and I think it's meant to be ironic and self-deprecating.  Offense is in the eye of the beholder, but from where I stand, the offense here (if there is any) isn't because there's nothing to be proud of regarding those wars. 

There was a ton of heroism by American and Allied soldiers that should be celebrated. I'd be more inclined to agree that this shirt cheapens the sacrifice of millions of soldiers for a quick laugh.

At last, something we disagree on Mr. Hobbs.

I just don't think war is something that should be treated nonchalantly or with humour. I personally am not offended by the shirt (and I'm half-German), I just think it's stupid and insensitive. And if I'm given a choice between funny and offensive (thread title) I'm leaning towards offensive.

[ACF]

[Rondo2287]

Fact is, millions died in those world wars. They're nothing to be proud of...

I think there's a lot to be proud of regarding America's role in the World Wars.  The shirt is over-the-top, and I think it's meant to be ironic and self-deprecating.  Offense is in the eye of the beholder, but from where I stand, the offense here (if there is any) isn't because there's nothing to be proud of regarding those wars. 

There was a ton of heroism by American and Allied soldiers that should be celebrated. I'd be more inclined to agree that this shirt cheapens the sacrifice of millions of soldiers for a quick laugh.

At last, something we disagree on Mr. Hobbs.

I just don't think war is something that should be treated nonchalantly or with humour. I personally am not offended by the shirt (and I'm half-German), I just think it's stupid and insensitive. And if I'm given a choice between funny and offensive (thread title) I'm leaning towards offensive.

I'm not sure why being half german would be a reason to dislike the shirt.  Yes germany lost but I'd personally say it was for the good of all humanity that Germany lost.

No offense meant of course.  I could see why the Japanese would be offended considering the amount of innocent killed by the nuclear bombs.  But I didnt think people of German decent would be offended.

[celticmaestro]

Fact is, millions died in those world wars. They're nothing to be proud of...

I think there's a lot to be proud of regarding America's role in the World Wars.  The shirt is over-the-top, and I think it's meant to be ironic and self-deprecating.  Offense is in the eye of the beholder, but from where I stand, the offense here (if there is any) isn't because there's nothing to be proud of regarding those wars. 

There was a ton of heroism by American and Allied soldiers that should be celebrated. I'd be more inclined to agree that this shirt cheapens the sacrifice of millions of soldiers for a quick laugh.

At last, something we disagree on Mr. Hobbs.

I just don't think war is something that should be treated nonchalantly or with humour. I personally am not offended by the shirt (and I'm half-German), I just think it's stupid and insensitive. And if I'm given a choice between funny and offensive (thread title) I'm leaning towards offensive.

I'm not sure why being half german would be a reason to dislike the shirt.  Yes germany lost but I'd personally say it was for the good of all humanity that Germany lost.

No offense meant of course.  I could see why the Japanese would be offended considering the amount of innocent killed by the nuclear bombs.  But I didnt think people of German decent would be offended.

Let's not forget the innocent that died in every country, including Germany, during these wars. Not every German was backing Hitler, you know.

[Kiorrik]

I wear shirts like that all the time. My favorite one is this one:



It's certainly less offensive, and perhaps less funny.

But secretly, this shirt is my secret little rebellion against 'murica's obnoxiously patriotic points of view.

My point being: wear whatever you want, just wear it for the right reasons. Or the wrong one :p - just stand by your choice lol

[Rondo2287]

Fact is, millions died in those world wars. They're nothing to be proud of...

I think there's a lot to be proud of regarding America's role in the World Wars.  The shirt is over-the-top, and I think it's meant to be ironic and self-deprecating.  Offense is in the eye of the beholder, but from where I stand, the offense here (if there is any) isn't because there's nothing to be proud of regarding those wars. 

There was a ton of heroism by American and Allied soldiers that should be celebrated. I'd be more inclined to agree that this shirt cheapens the sacrifice of millions of soldiers for a quick laugh.

At last, something we disagree on Mr. Hobbs.

I just don't think war is something that should be treated nonchalantly or with humour. I personally am not offended by the shirt (and I'm half-German), I just think it's stupid and insensitive. And if I'm given a choice between funny and offensive (thread title) I'm leaning towards offensive.

I'm not sure why being half german would be a reason to dislike the shirt.  Yes germany lost but I'd personally say it was for the good of all humanity that Germany lost.

No offense meant of course.  I could see why the Japanese would be offended considering the amount of innocent killed by the nuclear bombs.  But I didnt think people of German decent would be offended.

Let's not forget the innocent that died in every country, including Germany, during these wars. Not every German was backing Hitler, you know.

Sorry, wasn't trying to paint all Germans as supporters or insinuate that there were'nt innocent casualties. 

[Celtics18]

I wear shirts like that all the time. My favorite one is this one:



It's certainly less offensive, and perhaps less funny.

But secretly, this shirt is my secret little rebellion against 'murica's obnoxiously patriotic points of view.

My point being: wear whatever you want, just wear it for the right reasons. Or the wrong one :p - just stand by your choice lol

I'm not sure most of us 'Muricans would get the humor.  We'd just be like, "darned right, it belongs to us."

[Neurotic Guy]

Not crazy about it and wouldn't wear it. Seems cocky and glib to me.  Might offend people whose ancesters lost the war or were killed in the war -- Japanese Americans for instance.  Free enough country to wear it if you want though. You'll probably get more praise for it than criticism.

[indeedproceed]

Fact is, millions died in those world wars. They're nothing to be proud of...

I think there's a lot to be proud of regarding America's role in the World Wars.  The shirt is over-the-top, and I think it's meant to be ironic and self-deprecating.  Offense is in the eye of the beholder, but from where I stand, the offense here (if there is any) isn't because there's nothing to be proud of regarding those wars. 

There was a ton of heroism by American and Allied soldiers that should be celebrated. I'd be more inclined to agree that this shirt cheapens the sacrifice of millions of soldiers for a quick laugh.

At last, something we disagree on Mr. Hobbs.

I just don't think war is something that should be treated nonchalantly or with humour. I personally am not offended by the shirt (and I'm half-German), I just think it's stupid and insensitive. And if I'm given a choice between funny and offensive (thread title) I'm leaning towards offensive.

I'm not sure why being half german would be a reason to dislike the shirt.  Yes germany lost but I'd personally say it was for the good of all humanity that Germany lost.

No offense meant of course.  I could see why the Japanese would be offended considering the amount of innocent killed by the nuclear bombs.  But I didnt think people of German decent would be offended.

Let's not forget the innocent that died in every country, including Germany, during these wars. Not every German was backing Hitler, you know.

Sorry, wasn't trying to paint all Germans as supporters or insinuate that there were'nt innocent casualties.

Possible unwise tangential comment: If you ever want to have a really interesting conversation, talk to a 20-something German about how they see themselves in relation to WWII. It reminds me a lot of like a cross between how Americans talk about slavery, and the guilt over the genocide of the native Americans. Some kind of amorphous guilt, and a lot of rationalization. Kind of.. "It was a very bad time, and Im really sorry it happened. Not our finest hour...(but its not like I did it...)"

[Kiorrik]

I wear shirts like that all the time. My favorite one is this one:



It's certainly less offensive, and perhaps less funny.

But secretly, this shirt is my secret little rebellion against 'murica's obnoxiously patriotic points of view.

My point being: wear whatever you want, just wear it for the right reasons. Or the wrong one :p - just stand by your choice lol

I'm not sure most of us 'Muricans would get the humor.  We'd just be like, "darned right, it belongs to us."

'zactly.

[indeedproceed]

^That's why I love Rondo's shirt.